Historically, access control systems have been predominantly located within high-security environments, like that of banks or government buildings. However, in today's security conscious world, it's rare to walk into a building that doesn't have any form of security-system installed. There are various driving factors that have contributed to this change, for example, monitoring pedestrians regarding fire regulations, protecting internal equipment or data and more obviously preventing and protecting the building from any unauthorised intrusions.
Soft Security Solutions
The decline in manual signing in and out of buildings has become apparent for many headquarters. Now, most corporate environments will, at a minimum, have some form of soft security measures. Implementing technology that has the capabilities to monitor and record user activity in-turn helping to safeguard against security and fire threats as well as block unauthorised access attempts.
Access control systems are flexible solutions that provide essential information to help companies establish building access trends such as, peak times of day, track time spent within the building and monitor specific areas of the building for attendance purposes. For many corporations, it is crucial that employees and visitors only have access to their designated departments within the building. Soft security measures help provide companies with the assurance that access is granted solely to approved individuals’ identity devices.
Proximity cards are making access and security more seamless than ever before, providing the solution to the heightened demand for personnel access control within corporate buildings. Card systems that integrate security, privacy and convenience allow the organisation to achieve a new level of security assurance.
Hard Security Solutions
Restrictions on access within public buildings have unquestionably risen year on year. Constraints concerning gaining access to receptions, lift lobby areas and, upper office floors are a natural expectation today. One of the main reasons behind the development of access control systems within commercial buildings is the gradual move from typical 9 - 5 working hour days. Anytime, anywhere and anyplace working has led to a move away from manned entrances to fully automated secure entry systems.
The development of biometric security has improved significantly over the past eight years. When discussing biometric security, it's no longer a case of referring to a standard thumbprint reader now, technology has progressed into retinol scanners and, facial recognition within access systems. The additional layer of security has become a common trend within datacentres where the risk of stolen or lost cards presents a threat for unauthorised access into areas such as server rooms.
High-security revolving doors can also benefit from added security features such as ceiling sensors for the prevention of tailgating, contact mats for user detection and weight systems to assess the load imposed by the user. Revolving doors also have the benefit of being secured, so rotation begins following a signal from an integrated access control system.
